Concrete window trim and method of making



July 18, 1939. E. G. LIVESAY 2,156,370

CONCREIB WINDOW TRIM AND METHOD OF MAKING Filed Oct. 7, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,wli

July 18, 1939.

E. G. LIVESAY CONCRETE WINDOW TRIM AND METHOD OF MAKING Filed Oct. 7,

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vees'rr 4 LIVES/9K Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED STATES coucaa'rn wmnow TRIM AND METHOD or MAKING Everett Grey Livesay, Miami, Fla.

Application October 7,

4 Claims.

The invention, generally considered, relates to a precast concrete window trim or frame, or the like, and also to the method of making same.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a precast concrete trim adapted for use with structures formed of poured concrete or concrete blocks, said trim being so formed as to provide a bond therebetween and the adjacent wall struc ture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trim formed integrally with inwardly projecting shoulders and provided adjacent thereto with metallic means to which there may be secured a metallic window frame, the latter being adapted to abut against said shoulder.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a trim so formed and constructed that it may be placed in position in such manner as to afford surfaces adjacent the corresponding wall surfaces so that both the inner and outer wall facings may be joined to said trim in a simple and inexpensive manner.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a unit structure to which may be readily attacheda window frame and Venetian blinds by the ordinary mechanic without the use of tools other than a screw driver.

A more specific object is to provide a pre-cast one-piece concrete window trim which may be made in various sizes and diflerent widths to accord with the thickness of the wall structure and which may be disposed with its front and rear surfaces or edges indifferent relative positions with respect to the outer and inner wall surfaces depending upon the preference of the architect or builder.

Another detailed object of the invention is to provide a unitary pre-cast concrete window trim of such construction and so related to the adjacent wall structure and to the metallic window frame anchored thereto and having other characteristics which will render the entire construction weatherproof by the avoidance of exposed joints.

An additional object is to provide such a window trim which will besimple and easy to precast and install, permanent in its nature, subject neither to shrinkage nor warping, and which will in every respect be a distinct improvement in the art.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and

1937, Serial No. 167,839

illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a complete double casement window structure embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section therethrough,

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 33 of Figure 2 through but one side of the trim and showing the metallic frame and sash construction in detail,

Figure 4 is a sectional perspective view of the trim and blind guides with the metal frame and sash omitted,

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the trim structure for a single window though not limited to such, this view corresponding essentially to Figures 3 and 4,

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are horizontal sectional views similar to Figure 5 but showing variations in the location of the trim with respect to the wall and the finishing stucco and plaster,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary inside face view of the upper portion of one of the trim sides,

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view therethrough on substantially the line Ill-40 of Figure 9,

Figure 11 is a detail cross sectional view taken on the line H-ll of Figure 10,

Figure 12 is a vertical cross sectional view illustrating a portion of the molds for casting the trim.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have in every instance disclosed the trim as a pre-cast structure including a lintel l5, sides l6, and a sill l'l regardless of whether the trim be designed for the installation of single or double casement windows and likewise regardless of whether the trim is to be mounted within openings in a poured concrete wall W or within open ings in a wall B of hollow block construction.

As mentioned above, the trim is pre-cast in an appropriate mold shown in Figure 12 and to be described hereinafter, the formation beingsuch as to define longitudinally extending recesses l8 in the outer surfaces of the lintel l5 and sides It, so as to provide means for looking or bonding the structure within a window opening in a wall as it is poured, in the case of a solid wall construction W or by pouring in concrete looks or bonds IS in the case of a hollow block construction B such as is illustrated in Figure 5. The sills need not have any suchrecesses at the underside particularly for the reason that filling them with concrete would be dimcult and for the additional reason that they are unnecessary in viewof. their presence in the lintel and sides. Extending substantially centrally of the lintel, sides and sill is a continuous ridge Ill shaped to'define an abutment shoulder fiat its outer side, that is to say,

shown at 28 and 21. The purpose of these various inclined surfaces is to give a proper taper to the trim so that it will draw from the mold when cast.

The undersurface of the outer edge portion of the sill is formed with a longitudinally extending recess 28 defining a drip and similarly the underside of the outer edge portion of the lintel is preferably recessed at 29 to define a drip. Quite naturally the provision of these drips improves the weatherproof qualities of the construction.

In the form of trim shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 the lintel,sides and sill are grooved at their outer and inner edges to define shoulders 30, against which the outside stucco and the inside finishing material may abut so as to overlap the Joint between the trim and the concrete of the building wall, thereby excluding rain. The exterior stucco is represented in the figures mentioned' at 3| while the inside finishing lathsand plaster, plaster board or the like is represented at 32, it being customary to secure the interior finish to furring strips 33 appropriately anchored to the wall.

Another feature it 'iswell to mention is that the entire trim is reinforced, preferably .by galvanized steel rods 34 as is common in concrete construction. Likewise, it may be well to dispose a reinforcing wire screen 35 between the building wall and the exterior stucco, this screen extending into or being embedded within the trim when it is cast, as'shown in Figure 3. However,

for facility of construction and to reduce cost and labor, it is conceivable that this might be omitted.

It should be mentioned that the only diiferences between what is shown in Figures 6, 7 and r 8 from what has been above described, are different positions of the trim with respect to the wall faces and.difierent locations of the stucco and finishing plaster with respect to the trim, it being observed that in these figures there are no shoulders such as shown at 30 in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5. In Figure 6 the outer edge or face of the trim is flush with the wall while the inner edge or face projects inwardly beyond it and the stucco and the plaster board or the like simply slightly overlap the joint between the trim and the wall structure. In Figure 7 the inner edge or face of the trim is flush with the wall while the outer edge or face projects beyond it and the stucco abuts the trim while the finishing plaster or its equivalent overlaps the joint and is extended inwardly at right angles so that its edge abuts the edge of the trim at the inside of the building. In Figure 8 the trim is arranged as in Figure 6 and the plaster board or its equivalent overlaps the trim joint with the wall at the inside of the building, while the stucco is continued clear across the outside face or edge of the trim. Possibly other minor variations might be resorted to depending upon the preference or taste of the architect or builder. However, it is thought sumcient for all reasonable purposes to indicate just these few modifications.

When the trim is being cast there is embedded in the ribs or ridges II a series of L-shaped metallic members II which have their outer ends flush with the surfaces of the ridges and which have their outer ends formed with threaded sockets 31, as shown most clearly in Figure 3.

It is a distinct feature of the invention that while a wooden construction could be used, I prefer to employ metallic window frames and sashes therewith. I therefore provide a frame' constructed of substantially Z-shaped metallic frame bars 38 located at the inner faces of the ribs or ridges 20 and extending over the shoulders II, it being probably preferable to interpose some appropriate packing 3! between the frame bars and the concrete of the trim to provide weatherproof joints. These frame barsare secured to the trim by screws 40 which pass through the frame bars and the packing and into the threaded sockets 31. By this means the metal frame is effectually anchored to the trim.

The sashes employed may be singleor double easements and are also preferably of metal and formed of substantially Z-shaped bars ll located inwardly of the confines of the frame 38- but having flanges abutting against the forward or outer and also the rear flanges of the frame bars a so as to limit inward swinging movement of the sash or sashes as the case may be. The glass 42 is mounted within the sash frame I and may be puttied or otherwise packed, as shown at u, in any ordinary or preferred manner. It will be noted that when the sash is closed access cannot be had to the screws 40 so that protection is had against a marauder seeking to remove the frame.

In many localities it is quite the practice to equip windows with Venetian blinds and in order that my trim may accommodate them, channel members 44 are embedded in the confronting faces of the sides. These channel members have the channel 44 is a U-shaped anchor member I having its ends provided with lateral wings 5| so as to prevent any possibility of withdrawal if subjected to strain. Secured to each anchor member 49 is a bracket 5| having its lower end formed with a curved bearing or cradle II.

The Venetian blind itself is shown in its contracted or uppermost position at 53 in Figure 2 and is of the customary construction. The upper rail of such a blind, which rail is indicatedat 54 in Figures 9, 10 and 11, has its ends engaged upon the cradle or hearing members 52 at the opposite sides of the trim. The lower rail or bar 55 of the blind structure is shown equipped with a stem 88. adapted to slide along the slot 8 and terminating in an enlarged head 51 located within the channel 44.

As mentioned above, each channel member is formed atits upper edge with the flange ll which extends upwardly so as to permit the head 51 to be inserted within the open top of the channel subsequently to which the mechanic, by means of a screw driver or the like, simply bends or folds 7s the flange 48 downwardly so as to close the flaring entrance 4! to the slot 44, as shown in Figure 10. To permit this mounting of the Venetian blind after the trim is cast it would of course be necessary to provide acomparatively small recess at the upper end of each channel, but if it is intended to cast the trim with the Venetian blind in place the flange 48 would be folded over to close the top of each channel prior to embedding the channels in the trim.

It is also a feature-of the invention to provide a novel method and means for forming my precast trim, it being obviously necessary toprovide a special mold or molds for the purpose. Such a mold structure is shown in Figure 12 wherein I have disclosed, though it is broken away for convenience in illustration, a rectangular mold for casting the entire trim in one piece or as a unitary structure. This mold is shown as comprising a portion indicated as a whole by the numeral 58 for casting the lintel, a portion indicated as a whole by the numeral 59 for casting the sill and a .pair of portions indicated 'as a whole by the numeral 68 ,for casting the sides,

the portions 58 and 59 being spaced apart by the portions 60 which are connected thereto.

In detail, the lintel forming portion 58 coniprises a laterally removable outer section GI and a pair of inner'sections 62 and 68 arranged in abutting engagement, the section 68 being removable by a vertical movement with respect to the section 62. The outer section ilis formed with an inward offset 84 for defining a recess at the top of-the lintel while the abutting portions of the sections 62 and 63 are offset at 85 and 66, respectively, these last mentioned offsets mating or cooperating to define the rib or ridge on the underside of the lintel. In order to provide the groove 29 defining the drip on the lintel I provide a strip 61 removably secured to the inside face of the section 63 as by screws 68.

The sili forming portion 59 comprises an outer laterally detachable section 69 and abuttingly engaged inner sections I and H, the latter being detachable by an upward vertical movement. The sections and H are provided with offsets 12 and 13, respectively, of such shape as to form the rib or ridge on the sill. The outer section 69 is formed on its inner face with a rib 14 to form the groove 28 which defines the sill drip. The side forming portions 60 which are interposed between and connect the lintel and sill forming portions 58 and 59, respectively, are of the same shape as the sill forming portion except that there is no strip 6! provided. All these portions 58, 59 and 50 are open at the top and are intended to be closed at the bottom by some appropriate means which may be adjusted, depending upon the desired width of the casting. Such a bottom closure is not shown .as different expcdients might be resorted to. It will be noted that the sill forming portion 59 is of greater height than the other portions as it is desirable to have the sill of the trim project outwardly beyond the sides asis customary in window construction. I

This complete rectangular frame is assembled upon an appropriate supporting table or plat-- form with whatever bottom closures are provided held in their proper positions. Concrete is then poured into the top of the various portions and will of course settle and fill the same.

After the casting has set the screws 68 must be lintel and sill portions or forms are detached II ofnthe sill portion or form, these latter correspo the sill as previously described. It is of course to be understood that prior to the pouring of the concrete the reinforcing rods 34, the wire screen 35, the guide channels 44 and the anchor members 49 must be placed in position to be embedded. From an inspection of the drawings it is believed that the construction and operation of this mold structure will be quite clearto those acquainted with the concrete casting art.

Assuming that the trim has been pre-cast with the rods 34, wire screen 35, the metallic members 38 and the guide channels 44, as well as the anchor members: 49 embedded therein, it will be understood that,in the case ofa solid poured wall it issimply placed in position upon the wall which has been brought to the desired height and is held by some temporary means, after which pouring of the wall is continued, the concrete entering the recesses I8 in the lintel and the corresponding recesses in the sides, as clearly indicated in Figures 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8, thereby forming a lock or bond which will positively hold the trim in place. In the case of a wall constructed of hollow blocks, as shown in Figure 5, the necessary window opening must be left for the reception of the trim and positive securing is effected by pouring the locking mass of concrete into the spaces between the recesses in the outer faces of the sides and the recesses or hollows at the ends of the blocks at the window openings, as shown at IS in Figure 5. The trim having been secured in position, the metal frame defined by' the bars 38 is placed in position and secured by. means of the screws 40, it being understood that the packing 39 is placed in position at such time. The frame is then ready for the reception of the sash defined by the bars 4|, the sash or sashes being hinged at the top or either side, as preferred. The stucco 3 lis afterwards applied to the wall as is also the finishing material 32. This completes the structure.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a very simply. and inexpensively constructed pre-cast window trim having associated therewith a metallic window frame and sashes. The arrangement is such as to be weatherproof in that the various joints are well protected. Adequate means has been provided for locking the trim into place with respect to the building wall and another feature is the inability of an intruder to obtain access to the securing means for the metal frame. It is thought that every advantage has beenprovided for and it is believed that they and the construction will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation. a

While I have shown the trim as designed for windows, it is equally adapted for doors, and it is also apparent that instead of the metal frame and sashes wooden ones could be employed if desired. I also reserve the right to make such ding to the inclined surfaces 26 and 21 of changes in the details of construction as will widen the field of utility and increase the adaptability of the device provided such changes con- I stitute no departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto ap pended.

Having thus describedthe invention, I claim:

1. In a window construction designed to be furnished with Venetian blinds of the non-liar ping type having guide pins projecting from the opposite ends of certain slats adapted to cooperate with guides, a monolithic concrete window frameincluding sides, sill and lintel, and having an inwardly extending rib all around. formed with a seating surface for a sash frame. said monolithic frame having Venetian blind pinreceiving guides imbedded therein, opening in the inner faces of opposite sides, said guidesbeing parallel to one another and to the plane of said seating surface.

2. In a window construction designedto receive Venetian blinds of the non-flapping type having guide pins projecting from the opposite ends of certain slats adapted to cooperate with guides, a monolithic concrete window frame including sides, sill and lintel. and having an inwardly extending rib all around formed with a seating sur- 'i'ace for a sash frame, and having Venetian blind pin-receiving guides imbdded therein, said guides comprising channel members forming exposed slots in the inner faces of oppfl te sides, said slots being parallel to one another and to the plane of said seating surface- 3. In a window construction-designed'to receive Venetian blinds of the nonping type havinalu de pins projecting from ODD B te ends oi certain slats adapted to cooperate with guldesha monolithic concrete window frame including sides, sill and lintel, and having an inwardly extending rib all around formed with a seating surface for a sash frame, and having Venetian blind pin-receiving guides imbedded therein opening in the inner faces of, opposite sidesr-a metal sash frame seated against said seating surface and secured to said monolithic frame. said guides being parallel to one another and to the plane of the face of said sash.

4.1a a window construction designed to receive Venetian blinds of the non-flapping type ing means as to be parallel to the plane of theface of the sash frame when the latter -is'secured to said anchoring means.

EVERETT GREY LIVESAY. 

